sedimentary

Sandstone

Sedimentary Rock (Quartz Sandstone)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale depending on cementation; typically tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, or white; dull to earthy luster; clastic texture made of mineral particles or rock fragments, primarily quartz; specific gravity of 2.2 to 2.8.

Identified August 5, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed by the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles or rock fragments, most commonly quartz and feldspar, deposited by water, wind, or ice in environments like deserts, beaches, and rivers over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction as a building material, paving stones, flooring tiles, and historically for grinding stones and whetstones.

Geological facts

Sandstone can absorb water and act as a natural aquifer, filtering groundwater. Many famous ancient monuments and temples worldwide, such as Petra in Jordan, are carved directly out of sandstone cliffs.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its visible grainy texture that feels like sandpaper and its characteristic layered or bedded appearance. Found globally wherever ancient sedimentary environments existed.